Summer is in full swing, and that means plenty of tasty culinary events around town. Whet your appetite for the week ahead at tonight's wine-tasting and dinner at Lower48 Kitchen, our Best New Restaurant -- and mark your calendar for a taco showdown at Sculpture Park Thursday. Keep reading for a taste of what else is on the culinary calendar this week.

Join Master Sommelier Doug Kreni, at Lower48 Kitchen, our Best New Restaurant 2014, as he leads an interactive tasting showcasing how the same grape can be used to make both red and rosé wines; the tasting will be paired with chef Alex Figura's four-course menu. Reservations for the evening are $48 and can be made by calling 303-942-0262.

Tuesday, June 24

Adelitas Cocina y Cantina will host a special mezcal dinner tonight with Ron Cooper, Del Maguey owner/producer. The dinner will feature five courses prepared by five guest chefs, each paired with a special cocktail featuring Del Maguey. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $75. Call 303-778-1294 to reserve your spot.

Wednesday, June 25

Lyons Farmette is holding a five-course dinner benefiting Local Food Shift, a non-profit working to raise awareness of truly "local" foods. The evening will include farm tours and Colorado wine and beers. Reservations are $95; for more information, click here.

Join Frasca Food and Wine for an evening of wine education and edification as you drink your way through Austria. Special guests Erich Berger and Hans Reisetbauer will bring their wine and spirits along for the four-course wine dinner. Reserve your seat for $160 by calling 303-442-6966.

Thursday, June 26

Sculpture Park will be the scene for Top Taco, a taco and margarita- tasting competition with trophies to be awarded for the Top Creative, Top Traditional Taco and Best Margarita. Proceeds will benefit the Colorado Restaurant Association Education Foundation ProStart Scholarship Program. Festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $65 for general admission and $125 for VIP. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

The Viewhouse is holding a Spring 44 cocktail-pairing dinner at 7 p.m. this evening. Chef Jose Guerrero's is preparing a five-course meal, all paired with handcrafted Spring 44 cocktails.Tickets are $40 and you can buy them on the Viewhouse website.

Friday, June 27

The Colorado Mountain Club is holding an evening of lawn games, bluegrass music, barbeque and beer at the American Mountaineering Center from 5:30 to 9 p.m. tonight: the Backyard Benefit for the Youth Education Program. Tickets are $25 and you can get yours here.

For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings -- and if you have information for a culinary event you'd like included in our online calendar, send it to cafe@westword.com.